Oz spin coach Jenner "surprised" at White's inclusion for India Test series
6 Oct 2008, 1710 Hrs

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Sydney, Oct 6 Australian spin coach Terry Jenner has expressed surprise at the inclusion of leg-spinner Cameron White while avoiding Beau Casson.

"I am surprised [at the omission of left-arm wrist spinner Casson] because my understanding was that you give a guy Cricket Australia contract because you think he's got the goods," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Jenner as saying.

"Bryce McGain wasn't going to bowl medium-pace leggies," said Jenner, one of many in Australian cricket who believe White was a strong ands improving cricketer with a lot going for him like his aggressive batting, cricket smarts and brilliant reflexes in the field.

He said that White was always considered as an all-rounder and not a spin bowler. "I am at a bit of a loss because I go back to what his mentor David Hookes always said, that Cameron was only ever going to play for Australia as a batsman who could bowl a few overs. I don't think much has changed since then, even though he tries his heart out," said Jenner, who worked with White in an effort to impart more turn on his leg-breaks but found he was too fast through the air.

Australian chief selector Andrew Hilditch said that White was selected to maintain the initial scheme of team selection of having a right-arm finger spinner and a right-arm leg spinner considering the Indian conditions.

"The initial selection for the Indian tour was based on the desire to have a right-arm finger spinner and a right-arm leg spinner, which we thought was the best combination for Indian conditions. The basis for that decision was explained to Beau at the time," Hilditch said when pressed for the reason for Casson's exclusion.

He further said: "With Bryce's injury we felt that Cameron's leg spinners, coupled with his powerful batting and his recent strong performances in Indian conditions, rendered him the right choice for this tour." (ANI)